Niger Unanimously Agrees to Send Army to Fight Boko Haram

The government of Niger has decided to deploy its soldiers to battle Boko Haram, which has been carrying out atrocities throughout west Africa from its bases in Nigeria.

Reuters reports that Niger's parliament unanimously supported a resolution that allowed for the deployment of Niger's troops to combat the growing threat presented by Boko Haram. The troops will be part of a regional initiative involving Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Benin, in addition to Niger. The countries have pledged a total of 8,700 soldiers to bring the fight to Boko Haram.

There are currently 3,000 troops from the Niger Army stationed in the border town of Diffa, which abuts the territory of Nigeria. Diffa is currently in a state of emergency that will last for at least 15 days, if it is not renewed. The state of emergency means there is a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The state of emergency in Diffa is due to a spate of attacks in the city. As of Monday, Feb. 9, there had been three Boko Haram assaults in four days, according to Reuters. The most recent attack left five people dead.

Soldiers in Diffa have already thwarted a suicide bombing, and the Niger Army claims that members of Boko Haram have infiltrated the city, which may explain the bombings. The military says that they have killed nearly 220 Boko Haram fighters so far. It also claims eight soldiers and six civilians have been killed.

Reuters reports that the attacks and large army presence in Diffa have forced many residents to seek refuge elsewhere. Packed buses have been leaving the city with increasing frequency.

In addition to Diffa, the Niger Army has been battling Boko Haram in the town of N'Guimi, approximately 60 miles east of Diffa.